The Toronto Blue Jays could look to add another high-leverage reliever, and with most of the top free agents signed, it could come through a trade.
Heavy.com has a trade pitch that would see the Blue Jays acquire Dennis Santana from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a fan-favorite outfielder in a one-for-one swap.
Blue Jays acquire:
- RHP Dennis Santana
Pirates acquire:
- OF Nathan Lukes
The proposed deal makes sense for both teams as Toronto trades from an area of strength in the outfield for a backend of the bullpen reliever. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, gets a much-needed bat and sells high on Santana.
Toronto would acquire Santana, who would enter Spring Training looking to compete for the closer’s role with Jeff Hoffman, who had a home run problem last season. Santana is under team control for one more season, which is why Pittsburgh doesn’t get a major return. Last season with the Pirates, Santana was 4-5 with a 2.18 ERA in 70 games, while going 16-of-19 in save opportunities.
Santana struggled when he was a member of the New York Yankees, so that could be some concern returning to the AL East. But the right-hander appeared to rediscover his success last season with the Pirates.
In return, the Blue Jays would trade away Lukes, who was an impact hitter for Toronto last season. The fan-favorite played right and left field for the Blue Jays, but his role may not be needed next season, especially if Toronto signs Kyle Tucker. Lukes would be a top-of-the-order bat for Pittsburgh and be a contact guy to set the table for the middle-of-the-order. He hit .255 with 12 home runs and 65 RBIs last season.
Blue Jays Could Trade an Outfielder
Toronto has a surplus of outfielders and could look to trade one for a reliever this offseason.
The Blue Jays have Daulton Varsho, Anthony Santander, Myles Straw, Lukes, Addison Barger, George Springer, and Joey Loperfido as outfield options next season.
Given that Toronto has a surplus, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal hints at the Blue Jays using one of the outfielders like Lukes, Straw, or Loperfido as a trade chip for a reliever.
“One way for the Blue Jays to add a reliever is by trading one of their lesser outfielder. Aan option they are considering, according to people briefed on their plans. Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw and Joey Loperfido all would be possibilities to move, along with a few others,” Rosenthal wrote.
“Lukes projects to be the Jays’ starting left fielder unless they sign Kyle Tucker. Straw and Loperfido are both beloved by their teammates. Bo Bichette and Louis Varland both said during the postseason that Straw was the most important player in the clubhouse.”
Lukes and Loperfido likely would have the most trade value, meaning one of them would likely be on the move.
Toronto Add a Pair of Funky Relievers to Bullpen
The Blue Jays did make two bullpen moves on Friday, but neither is likely to be a closer.
Toronto acquired sidearmer Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers for minor-leaguer Johan Simon. He was a rookie last season who went 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA in 32 games. He’s also eligible to be sent down to the minors, which gives Toronto some roster flexibility.
After the trade, the Blue Jays then signed right-handed pitcher Tyler Rogers on a three-year, $37 million contract. It also has a fourth-year built-in option. Rogers is another sidearmer who can be used as a high-leverage reliever.
Despite those moves, the Blue Jays could look to add another high-impact reliever to compete with Hoffman for the closer’s role.
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